Photo By PAULA MULLER
From left, Charlie Gaeta, John Pace, Mary Chalmers Fountain, Patrick Cogan and David Solimine, Sr., at the promotion for Celebrity Bartenders Night at the Lynn City Hall.
By MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — The Item Santa, with the help of The Salvation Army and countless other kind hearted and generous souls, will soon be wrapping up his 49th year of collecting cash donations that become Christmas morning gifts for thousands of area children in need.
There have been so many different methods of collection through the years, ranging from the old fashioned “just throw the money in the bucket” at the Wyoma Square lights and sending a donation directly to The Item, to themed events hosted by well known locals.
One of those events tonight at the Four Winds Pub and Grill at 265 Broadway — the annual Celebrity Bartenders Night to Benefit the Item Santa Fund.
This is the second year that owner Patrick DeBoever has offered his establishment as the venue for an evening of generosity and old-fashioned fun to benefit local children in need.
Celebrity bartenders arrive and take over the bar for the evening, and David J. Solimine Sr. — among The Item Santa’s chief benefactor — appreciates the support he gets from so many in the community.
“Patrick was instrumental in bringing this event to life,” Solimine said. “Last year was delightful, and everyone had a great time for a wonderful cause.
“I am hoping for a big crowd with generous hearts and lots of holiday spirit,” Solimine said.
The “amateur bartenders” scheduled to take their places behind the bar to mix, pour and serve include Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, City Council President Daniel Cahill, Item Vice President of Sales Phil Ouellette, Solimine, DeBoever and Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development executive director Charles Gaeta.
All bartender /disc jockey tips and a percentage of the evening’s sales are donated to the Item Santa Fund. Disc jockey and lifelong Lynner CC Yanakakis is lending his services to the event.
“It’s great to be a member of this community, and I enjoy being involved in events like this,” Gaeta said. “I am proud of the true spirit of generosity that so many people in this city are filled with.
“I look forward to an evening of laughter for a wonderful cause,” he said. “I hope many folks stop by and enjoy what promises to be a terrific night with friends.”
The evening’s festivities are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
